QRP

The members were treated to a fascinating talk on QRP, amateur radio transmission using very low power, by Bob MacDonald. Bob explained how he first got into the hobby, gaining his novice licence and hearing an inspiring talk on QRP by the renowned Rev George Dobbs. Bob showed us his various transceivers including a tiny low power one he built in a tobacco tin!

He amazed us with his radio contacts around the world, in particular one to Australia using only 5 Watts of power – a truly amazing feat when one considers that his signal probably bounced off the ionosphere a couple of times. The photo shows Bob on the left demonstrating his radios to two new members Ken Quint and Morgan Flynn, who hopefully were equally inspired by Bob’s talk!